| Do you have a child that you think might have dyslexia | | | | evaluator is not the present employee of any school |
| or another learning disability, and your school is refusing | | | | district, is willing to do comprehensive evaluations in |
| to test them for it? Are you concerned that your child | | | | several areas, is willing to write a comprehensive |
| may have autism or pervasive developmental disorder | | | | report not only about testing but about what services |
| and your school district states that they will not test | | | | your child needs. If the evaluator is a present |
| them? If your school district is refusing to conduct a | | | | employee of a school district, or waffles on specifically |
| comprehensive assessment on your child to determine | | | | stating what services are needed, find a different |
| special education eligibility, this article is for you. This | | | | evaluator! Getting copies of testing without specific |
| article will discuss 5 things that you can do as a parent, | | | | recommendations is like paying for half an evaluation! |
| if your school district is refusing to evaluate your child. | | | | 3. When the report is received (and your child has |
| The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) | | | | been found to have a disability and educational need) |
| states under the Child Find section that: school districts | | | | contact your school district in writing and send them a |
| are required to locate, identify and evaluate all children | | | | copy of the report. Ask that an eligibility conference be |
| that may have a disability. Also someone transitioning | | | | held again, since new information has now been |
| from Early Intervention (birth-three years old), must be | | | | received. School districts must consider any |
| evaluated to determine if they are eligible for special | | | | independent evaluations brought by parents. |
| education services. School districts are not allowed to | | | | 4. Before the eligibility conference, try and find an |
| depend on screening to determine eligibility for special | | | | experienced parent or an advocate to go with you to |
| education. | | | | the meeting. The eligibility conference is the most |
| Here are 5 things you can do if your child is refused | | | | important conference in special education. With the |
| special education eligibility testing: | | | | new information your child hopefully will be found |
| 1. Gather your evidence together about their disability, | | | | eligible for special education (a child must have two |
| and there need for special education services. Perhaps | | | | things to be eligible for special education: a disability and |
| reports of your child's disability, copies of state and | | | | educational needs). If the school district uses the |
| district wide testing to show academic need, any | | | | information from the IEE ask for reimbursement. |
| documentation of emotional and behavioral difficulty, | | | | 5. If after all of this trying your child still is found not |
| any evidence of social problems, and also any | | | | eligible, your only option may be to file for a due |
| diagnosis that has been given by their Dr. | | | | process hearing. This hearing is very formal and is |
| 2. Take your child to get an Independent Educational | | | | heard in front of a hearing officer, not a judge. Try and |
| Evaluation (IEE) with a qualified professional! You will | | | | find an experienced parent or advocate, to help you in |
| have to pay for the evaluation, but you may be able to | | | | this process. |
| be reimbursed later. To find a good evaluator, ask | | | | Even if your child is found not eligible there are options |
| other parents, or contact a local disability organization. | | | | available to you! Do not give up because your child is |
| Before you make the appointment make sure that the | | | | depending on you! |